Part 1, Chapter 2

On and on, and on I rowed until the shore and my late companions were lost in the gloomy distance. On and on, and still on, until fatigued almost to exhaustion; and still, no land. A feeling of uncontrollable lonesomeness took possession of me. Silence reigned supreme. No sound greeted me save the swirl of the gently undulating waters against the boat, and the melancholy dip of the oars. Overhead, the familiar eyes of night were all that pierced the gloom that seemed to hedge me in. My feeling of distress increased when I discovered that my boat had struck a current and was beyond my control. Visions of a cataract and inevitable death instantly shot across my mind. Made passive by intense despair, I laid down in the bottom of the boat, to let myself drift into whatever fate was awaiting me.

On and on I rowed until the shore and my recent companions disappeared into the gloomy distance. I rowed on and on until I was nearly exhausted. Still, there was no land. An overwhelming loneliness took hold of me. Silence ruled. The only sounds were the gently rolling water swirling against the boat and the mournful dipping of the oars. Overhead, only the familiar stars pierced the darkness that seemed to surround me. My distress grew when I discovered that my boat had entered a current and was beyond my control. I immediately pictured a waterfall and certain death. Overcome by despair, I lay down in the bottom of the boat and let myself drift toward whatever fate awaited me.

I must have lain there many hours before I realized that I was traveling in a circle. The velocity of the current had increased, but not sufficiently to insure immediately destruction. Hope began to revive, and I sat up and looked about me with renewed courage. Directly before me rose a column of mist, so thin that I could see through it, and of the most delicate tint of green. As I gazed, it spread into a curtain that appeared to be suspended in mid-air, and began to sway gently back and forth, as if impelled by a slight breeze, while sparks of fire, like countless swarms of fire-flies, darted through it and blazed out into a thousand brilliant hues and flakes of color that chased one another across and danced merrily up and down with bewildering swiftness. Suddenly it drew together in a single fold, a rope of yellow mist, then instantly shook itself out again as a curtain of rainbows fringed with flame. Myriads of tassels, composed of threads of fire, began to dart hither and thither through it, while the rainbow stripes deepened in hue until they looked like gorgeous ribbons glowing with intensest radiance, yet softened by that delicate misty appearance which is a special quality of all atmospheric color, and which no pencil can paint, nor the most eloquent tongue adequately describe.

I must have lain there for many hours before I realized I was traveling in a circle. The current had grown faster, but not fast enough to ensure my immediate destruction. Hope began to return, and I sat up and looked around me with renewed courage. Directly before me rose a column of mist. It was thin enough to see through and a most delicate shade of green. As I watched, the mist spread into a curtain that seemed to hang in midair. It began to sway gently back and forth, as if moved by a slight breeze. Sparks of fire darted through it like countless swarms of fireflies. They blazed into a thousand brilliant hues and flakes of color. These chased one another across the curtain and danced merrily up and down with bewildering speed. Suddenly the curtain drew together into a single fold, a rope of yellow mist. Then it instantly shook itself out again into a curtain of rainbows fringed with flame. Countless tassels made of threads of fire began to dart back and forth through it. The rainbow stripes deepened in color until they looked like gorgeous ribbons glowing with the most intense radiance. Yet their glow was softened by the delicate mistiness found in all colors in the air. No brush can paint it, and no words, however eloquent, can adequately describe it.

The swaying motion continued. Sometimes the curtain approached near enough, apparently, to flaunt its fiery fringe almost within my grasp. It hung one instant in all its marvelous splendor of colors, then suddenly rushed into a compact mass, and shot across the zenith, an arc of crimson fire that lit up the gloomy waters with a weird, unearthly glare. It faded quickly, and appeared to settle upon the water again in a circular wall of amber mist, round which the current was hurrying me with rapidly increasing speed. I saw, with alarm, that the circles were narrowing A whirlpool was my instant conjecture, and I laid myself down in the boat, again expecting every moment to be swept into a seething abyss of waters. The spray dashed into my face as the boat plunged forward with frightful swiftness. A semi-stupor, born of exhaustion and terror, seized me in its merciful embrace.

The swaying continued. Sometimes the curtain seemed to come close enough for me to almost grasp its fiery fringe. For an instant, it hung there in all its marvelous colors. Then it suddenly gathered into a compact mass and shot across the sky. The arc of crimson fire lit the dark waters with an eerie, unearthly glow. It quickly faded and seemed to settle on the water again, forming a circular wall of amber mist. The current was carrying me around the wall faster and faster. To my alarm, I saw that the circles were growing smaller. I immediately guessed it was a whirlpool. I lay down in the boat, once again expecting to be swept into a churning abyss at any moment. Spray struck my face as the boat plunged forward at a terrifying speed. Exhaustion and terror mercifully left me in a half-stupor.

It must have been many hours that I lay thus. I have a dim recollection of my boat going on and on, its speed gradually decreasing, until I was amazed to perceive that it had ceased its onward motion and was gently rocking on quiet waters. I opened my eyes. A rosy light, like the first blush of a new day, permeated the atmosphere. I sat up and looked about me. A circular wall of pale amber mist rose behind me; the shores of a new and beautiful country stretched before. Toward them, I guided my boat with reviving hope and strength.

I must have lain there like that for many hours. I dimly remember my boat moving on and on, gradually slowing down. I was amazed to realize it had stopped moving forward and was gently rocking on quiet water. I opened my eyes. A rosy light filled the air, like the first blush of a new day. I sat up and looked around. A circular wall of pale amber mist rose behind me. The shores of a beautiful new country stretched out before me. With renewed hope and strength, I guided my boat toward them.

I entered a broad river, whose current was from the sea, and let myself drift along its banks in bewildered delight. The sky appeared bluer, and the air balmier than even that of Italy's favored clime. The turf that covered the banks was smooth and fine, like a carpet of rich green velvet. The fragrance of tempting fruit was wafted by the zephyrs from numerous orchards. Birds of bright plumage flitted among the branches, anon breaking forth into wild and exultant melody, as if they rejoiced to be in so favored a clime.

I entered a broad river that flowed from the sea and drifted along its banks, bewildered and delighted. The sky seemed bluer and the air milder than even in Italy's favored climate. The grass covering the banks was smooth and fine, like a carpet of rich green velvet. Gentle breezes carried the scent of tempting fruit from the many orchards. Brightly colored birds flitted among the branches. Now and then, they burst into wild, joyful song, as if glad to be in such a favored climate.

And truly it seemed a land of enchantment. The atmosphere had a peculiar transparency, seemingly to bring out clearly objects at a great distance, yet veiling the far horizon in a haze of gold and purple. Overhead, clouds of the most gorgeous hues, like precious gems converted into vapor, floated in a sky of the serenest azure. The languorous atmosphere, the beauty of the heavens, the inviting shores, produced in me a feeling of contentment not easily described. To add to my senses another enjoyment, my ears were greeted with sounds of sweet music, in which I detected the mingling of human voices.

It truly seemed like an enchanted land. The air was unusually clear, making distant objects seem sharp, yet veiling the far horizon in gold and purple haze. Clouds of brilliant colors floated overhead in a serene blue sky. They looked like precious gems turned into vapor. The languid air, the beautiful sky, and the inviting shores filled me with a contentment I can hardly describe. To add to my pleasure, I heard sweet music, with human voices mingling in it.

I wondered if I had really drifted into an enchanted country, such as I had read about in the fairy books of my childhood.

I wondered if I had really drifted into an enchanted land, like those in the fairy tales I read as a child.

The music grew louder, yet wondrously sweet, and a large pleasure boat, shaped like a fish, glided into view. Its scales glittered like gems as it moved gracefully and noiselessly through the water. Its occupants were all young girls of the highest type of blonde beauty. It was their soft voices, accompanied by some peculiar stringed instruments they carried, that had produced the music I had heard. They appeared to regard me with curiosity, not unmixed with distrust, for their boat swept aside to give me a wide berth.

The music grew louder, yet remained wonderfully sweet. A large pleasure boat shaped like a fish glided into view. Its scales glittered like gems as it moved gracefully and silently through the water. Everyone on board was a young girl of the highest type of blonde beauty. Their soft voices, accompanied by unusual stringed instruments they carried, had produced the music I had heard. They seemed to look at me with curiosity mixed with distrust, for their boat moved aside to give me plenty of room.

I uncovered my head, shook down my long black hair, and falling upon my knees, lifted my hands in supplication. My plea was apparently understood, for turning their boat around, they motioned me to follow them. This I did with difficulty, for I was weak, and their boat moved with a swiftness and ease that astonished me. What surprised me most was its lack of noise.

I uncovered my head, shook out my long black hair, and fell to my knees. I raised my hands in a plea for help. They apparently understood my plea, because they turned their boat around and motioned for me to follow. I followed with difficulty because I was weak. Their boat moved with a speed and ease that astonished me. What surprised me most was how quiet it was.

As I watched its beautiful occupants dressed in rich garments, adorned with rare and costly gems, and noted the noiseless, gliding swiftness of their boat, an uncomfortable feeling of mystery began to invade my mind, as though I really had chanced upon enchanted territory.

I watched its beautiful occupants, dressed in rich clothes and adorned with rare, expensive gems. I noticed how swiftly and silently their boat glided. An uneasy sense of mystery came over me, as if I really had stumbled into enchanted territory.

As we glided along, I began to be impressed by the weird stillness. No sound greeted me from the ripening orchards, save the carol of birds; from the fields came no note of harvest labor. No animals were visible, nor sound of any. No hum of life. All nature lay asleep in voluptuous beauty, veiled in a glorious atmosphere. Everything wore a dreamy look. The breeze had a loving, lingering touch, not unlike to the Indian Summer of North America. But no Indian Summer ever knew that dark green verdure, like the first robe of spring. Wherever the eye turned it met something charming in cloud, or sky, or water, or vegetation. Everything had felt the magical touch of beauty.

As we glided along, I began to notice the eerie stillness. From the ripening orchards, I heard nothing but birds singing. From the fields came no sound of harvest work. There were no animals to be seen or heard. There was no hum of life. All nature lay asleep in lush beauty, veiled in a glorious atmosphere. Everything looked dreamy. The breeze had a loving, lingering touch, much like the Indian Summer of North America. But no Indian Summer ever had such dark green growth, like the first greenery of spring. Wherever I looked, I saw something charming in the clouds, sky, water, or plants. Everything had felt the magical touch of beauty.

On the right, the horizon was bounded by a chain of mountains, that plainly showed their bases above the glowing orchards and verdant landscapes. It impressed me as peculiar, that everything appeared to rise as it gained in distance. At last the pleasure boat halted at a flight of marble steps that touched the water. Ascending these, I gained an eminence where a scene of surpassing beauty and grandeur lay spread before me. Far, far as the eye could follow it, stretched the stately splendor of a mighty city. But all the buildings were detached and surrounded by lawns and shade trees, their white marble and gray granite walls gleaming through the green foliage.

On the right, a mountain range bordered the horizon. Its bases were clearly visible above the glowing orchards and green landscape. It seemed strange to me that everything appeared to rise as it grew more distant. At last, the pleasure boat stopped at a flight of marble steps that reached the water. I climbed them to a high point, where a scene of extraordinary beauty and grandeur spread before me. The stately splendor of a great city stretched as far as I could see. But all the buildings stood apart, surrounded by lawns and shade trees. Their white marble and gray granite walls gleamed through the green leaves.

Upon the lawn, directly before us, a number of most beautiful girls had disposed themselves at various occupations. Some were reading, some sketching, and some at various kinds of needlework. I noticed that they were all blondes. I could not determine whether their language possessed a peculiarly soft accent, or whether it was an unusual melody of voice that made their conversation as musical to the ear as the love notes of some amorous wood bird to its mate.

On the lawn directly in front of us, a number of very beautiful girls were occupied with various activities. Some were reading, some were sketching, and some were doing different kinds of needlework. I noticed that they were all blondes. I could not tell whether their language had a particularly soft accent or their voices were unusually melodious. Either way, their conversation sounded as musical as a lovestruck woodland bird singing to its mate.

A large building of white marble crowned a slight eminence behind them. Its porticos were supported upon the hands of colossal statues of women, carved out of white marble with exquisite art and beauty. Shade trees of a feathery foliage, like plumes of finest moss, guarded the entrance and afforded homes for brilliant-plumaged birds that flew about the porticos and alighted on the hands and shoulders of the ladies without fear. Some of the trees had a smooth, straight trunk and flat top, bearing a striking resemblance to a Chinese umbrella. On either side of the marble-paved entrance were huge fountains that threw upward a column of water a hundred feet in height, which, dissolving into spray, fell into immense basins of clearest crystal. Below the rim of these basins, but covered with the crystal, as with a delicate film of ice, was a wreath of blood red roses, that looked as though they had just been plucked from the stems and placed there for a temporary ornament. I afterward learned that it was the work of an artist, and durable as granite.

A large white marble building stood on a low rise behind them. Its porticos rested on the hands of colossal statues of women. The statues were carved from white marble with exquisite skill and beauty. Shade trees guarded the entrance, their feathery leaves like plumes of the finest moss. They sheltered brightly colored birds that flew around the porticos and fearlessly perched on the statues’ hands and shoulders. Some trees had smooth, straight trunks and flat tops, looking remarkably like Chinese umbrellas. On either side of the marble-paved entrance stood huge fountains. Each sent a column of water a hundred feet into the air. The water broke into spray and fell into immense basins of clear crystal. Beneath the rims of the basins were wreaths of blood-red roses, covered in crystal like a delicate film of ice. The roses looked freshly picked and placed there as a temporary decoration. I later learned that the roses were an artist’s work and as durable as granite.

I supposed I had arrived at a female seminary, as not a man, or the suggestion of one, was to be seen. If it were a seminary, it was for the wealth of the land, as house, grounds, adornments, and the ladies' attire were rich and elegant.

I thought I had arrived at a school for women, since there was no sign of a man anywhere. If it was a school, it was for the wealthy. The house, grounds, decorations, and ladies' clothing were rich and elegant.

I stood apart from the groups of beautiful creatures like the genus of another race, enveloped in garments of fur that had seen much service. I presented a marked contrast. The evident culture, refinement, and gentleness of the ladies, banished any fear I might have entertained as to the treatment I should receive. But a singular silence that pervaded everything impressed me painfully. I stood upon the uplifted verge of an immense city, but from its broad streets came no sound of traffic, no rattle of wheels, no hum of life. Its marble homes of opulence shone white and grand through mossy foliage; from innumerable parks the fountains sparkled and statues gleamed like rare gems upon a costly robe; but over all a silence, as of death, reigned unbroken. The awe and the mystery of it pressed heavily upon my spirit, but I could not refuse to obey when a lady stepped out of the group, that had doubtless been discussing me, and motioned me to follow her.

I stood apart from the groups of beautiful creatures, like a member of another race. I was wrapped in fur garments that had seen much use, and I stood out sharply. The ladies were clearly cultured, refined, and gentle, which dispelled any fear I might have had about how they would treat me. But a strange silence filled everything, and it troubled me deeply. I stood on high ground at the edge of an immense city. Yet no sound of traffic came from its broad streets, no rattle of wheels, no hum of life. Its grand marble mansions shone white through mossy foliage. In countless parks, fountains sparkled and statues gleamed like rare gems on a costly robe. But over everything, a silence like death reigned unbroken. Its awe and mystery weighed heavily on my spirit. Yet I could not refuse when a lady stepped out of the group and motioned for me to follow her. The group had doubtless been discussing me.

She led me through the main entrance into a lofty hall that extended through the entire building, and consisted of a number of grand arches representing scenes in high relief of the finest sculpture. We entered a magnificent salon, where a large assembly of ladies regarded me with unmistakable astonishment. Every one of them was a blonde. I was presented to one, whom I instantly took to be the Lady Superior of the College, for I had now settled it in my mind that I was in a female seminary, albeit one of unheard of luxury in its appointments.

She led me through the main entrance into a lofty hall that ran through the entire building. The hall had a series of grand arches decorated with scenes in the finest high-relief sculpture. We entered a magnificent salon, where a large gathering of ladies looked at me with unmistakable astonishment. Every one of them was blonde. I was introduced to one woman, whom I immediately took to be the head of the College. I had by now decided that I was in a school for women, though one furnished with unheard-of luxury.

The lady had a remarkable majesty of demeanor, and a noble countenance. Her hair was white with age, but over her features, the rosy bloom of youth still lingered, as if loth to depart. She looked at me kindly and critically, but not with as much surprise as the others had evinced. I may here remark that I am a brunette. My guide, having apparently received some instruction in regard to me, led me upstairs into a private apartment. She placed before me a complete outfit of female wearing apparel, and informed me by signs that I was to put it on. She then retired. The apartment was sumptuously furnished in two colors—amber and lazulite. A bath-room adjoining had a beautiful porcelain tank with scented water, that produced a delightful feeling of exhilaration.

The lady carried herself with remarkable majesty and had a noble face. Her hair was white with age, but a youthful rosy glow still lingered on her face, as if reluctant to leave. She looked at me kindly and scrutinized me, but seemed less surprised than the others. I should mention that I am a brunette. My guide had apparently received some instructions about me. She led me upstairs to a private room. She laid out a complete set of women's clothes and told me by signs to put them on. Then she left. The room was lavishly furnished in two colors, amber and lazulite. An adjoining bathroom had a beautiful porcelain tub filled with scented water. The water produced a delightful feeling of exhilaration.

Having donned my new attire, I descended the stairs and met my guide, who conducted me into a spacious dining-room. The walls were adorned with paintings, principally of fruit and flowers. A large and superb picture of a sylvan dell in the side of a rock, was one exception. Its deep, cool shadows, and the pellucid water, which a wandering sunbeam accidentally revealed, were strikingly realistic. Nearly all of the pictures were upon panels of crystal that were set in the wall. The light shining through them gave them an exceedingly natural effect. One picture that I especially admired, was of a grape vine twining around the body and trunk of an old tree. It was inside of the crystal panel, and looked so natural that I imagined I could see its leaves and tendrils sway in the wind. The occupants of the dining-room were all ladies, and again I noted the fact that they were all blondes: beautiful, graceful, courteous, and with voices softer and sweeter than the strains of an eolian harp.

After putting on my new clothes, I went downstairs and met my guide. She led me into a spacious dining room. The walls were decorated with paintings, mostly of fruit and flowers. One exception was a large, magnificent painting of a wooded hollow in the side of a rock. Its deep, cool shadows looked strikingly real. So did the clear water, revealed by a stray sunbeam. Nearly all the pictures were on crystal panels set into the wall. Light shone through the panels, making the pictures look remarkably natural. One picture I especially admired showed a grapevine twining around the trunk of an old tree. It was inside the crystal panel and looked so real that I imagined I could see its leaves and tendrils swaying in the wind. Everyone in the dining room was a woman, and again I noticed that they were all blondes. They were beautiful, graceful, and courteous, with voices softer and sweeter than the music of an Aeolian harp.

The table, in its arrangement and decoration, was the most beautiful one I had ever seen. The white linen cloth resembled brocaded satin. The knives and forks were gold, with handles of solid amber. The dishes were of the finest porcelain. Some of them, particularly the fruit stands, looked as though composed of hoar frost. Many of the fruit stands were of gold filigree work. They attracted my notice at once, not so much on account of the exquisite workmanship and unique design of the dishes, as the wonderful fruit they contained. One stand, that resembled a huge African lily in design, contained several varieties of plums, as large as hen's eggs, and transparent. They were yellow, blue and red. The centre of the table was occupied by a fruit stand of larger size than the others. It looked like a boat of sea foam fringed with gold moss. Over its outer edge hung clusters of grapes of a rich wine color, and clear as amethysts. The second row looked like globes of honey, the next were of a pale, rose color, and the top of the pyramid was composed of white ones, the color and transparency of dew.

The table was the most beautiful I had ever seen, both in its arrangement and decoration. The white linen tablecloth looked like brocaded satin. The knives and forks were gold, with solid amber handles. The dishes were made of the finest porcelain. Some, especially the fruit stands, looked as though they were made of frost. Many of the fruit stands were made of delicate gold filigree. They caught my eye at once. It was not so much their exquisite workmanship and unusual designs that caught my attention, but the wonderful fruit they held. One stand was shaped like a huge African lily. It held several varieties of transparent plums, each as large as a hen's egg. They were yellow, blue, and red. A larger fruit stand stood in the center of the table. It looked like a boat made of sea foam, edged with gold moss. Clusters of rich, wine-colored grapes hung over its outer edge, as clear as amethysts. The second row of grapes looked like globes of honey. The next row was pale rose, and the top of the pyramid was made up of white grapes, with the color and transparency of dew.

The fruit looked so beautiful. I thought it would be a sacrilege to destroy the charm it had for the eye; but when I saw it removed by pink tipped fingers, whose beauty no art could represent, and saw it disappear within such tempting lips. I thought the feaster worthy of the feast. Fruit appeared to be the principal part of their diet, and was served in its natural state. I was, however, supplied with something that resembled beefsteak of a very fine quality. I afterward learned that it was chemically prepared meat. At the close of the meal, a cup was handed me that looked like the half of a soap bubble with all its iridescent beauty sparkling and glancing in the light. It contained a beverage that resembled chocolate, but whose flavor could not have been surpassed by the fabled nectar of the gods.

The fruit looked so beautiful that I thought it would be a sacrilege to spoil its beauty. But then I saw it picked up by pink-tipped fingers, whose beauty no art could capture. I watched it disappear between such tempting lips and thought the eater was worthy of the feast. Fruit seemed to be the main part of their diet, and it was served in its natural state. I, however, was given something that resembled a very fine beefsteak. I later learned that it was chemically prepared meat. At the end of the meal, I was handed a cup that looked like half a soap bubble. It had all a bubble’s iridescent beauty, sparkling and shimmering in the light. It held a drink that looked like chocolate. But its flavor could not have been surpassed by the fabled nectar of the gods.